Headaches when lifting weights

Hi guys

Towards end of July, I was doing legs on the leg press machine. After my 2nd set it decided to increase the weight. Just before I could fining my 10 reps, I had a very painful headache. Ever since then the headache doesn't go away. It comes back when I do weight especially bench press, seated shoulder press, barbell squats, leg press, wide lat pulldown.

I have seen the Dr several times and the prescribed med seem to not do the job. I've rested for 2 weeks, I've stopped taking supplements. I've also done physio to loosen my neck muscles but nothing. I'm concerned about this headache.

Has anyone experienced this?
How was it treated.

Get it often when I squat... I think it's due to incorrect breathing on compound lifts like holding breath making ur BP rise.

Did the doc check your blood pressure?

Just checked now, it's 140/80, previously is was fine. At times a bit in the low

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PumpSeeker wrote: Get it often when I squat... I think it's due to incorrect breathing on compound lifts like holding breath making ur BP rise.

Pump, does the headache stays for some time even the following day?

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All that I have had happen to me is I feel a bit light headed sometimes after a heavy set.
Often deadlifts, squats or leg press. Not really any other exercises. This also goes away after a minute or so.

What about when you are doing intense cardio? Do you breathe properly during your sets?

I get it when I do legs, blood pressure during it. If it was 140 / 80 which is fine, it's very easy for it to jump to 160+/something and that could cause it.. some people also suffer sudden shifts in blood pressure when getting up yet normal at other times so maybe it's during your sets. Bring your monitor to get, smack one or two of your exercises and when you feel it go to the bathroom and just check it out.

bms wrote:

PumpSeeker wrote: Get it often when I squat... I think it's due to incorrect breathing on compound lifts like holding breath making ur BP rise.

Pump, does the headache stays for some time even the following day?

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Nah, if it happens at morning training it'll be gone by the next day. But usually goes away after training if it even happens (Usually just leg days) :lol:

PsyCLown wrote: All that I have had happen to me is I feel a bit light headed sometimes after a heavy set.
Often deadlifts, squats or leg press. Not really any other exercises. This also goes away after a minute or so.

What about when you are doing intense cardio? Do you breathe properly during your sets?

No, there's no headaches when I do cardio. I inhale through my nostrils and exhale out of my mouth.

I learned that 2 years back when I was diagnosed with exercise induced asthma. I used to joke in the cold morning. But I'm asthma free now.

00pump wrote: I get it when I do legs, blood pressure during it. If it was 140 / 80 which is fine, it's very easy for it to jump to 160+/something and that could cause it.. some people also suffer sudden shifts in blood pressure when getting up yet normal at other times so maybe it's during your sets. Bring your monitor to get, smack one or two of your exercises and when you feel it go to the bathroom and just check it out.

Hi pump

I do not have a BP monitor/tester yet. I have a tom tom spark 2 with an inbuilt heart rate monitor. I'm just sceptical about it at time but I'll put the weight lifting mode today and monitor the bpm during sets or when I feel the Headache and I'll report back.

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Thank you guys for you replies and inputs. After the Dr's visit yesterday, we going to put the 24hr BP monitor next week Thursday and I should continue with my daily activities as normal and we will see from there if I need further analysis by a specialist.

Another culprit might be my eyes, there was a time in my life where I used to wear spectacles, so I'm also going to get them check just to eliminate.

Thank you again, really appreciate it.

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bms wrote:

00pump wrote: I get it when I do legs, blood pressure during it. If it was 140 / 80 which is fine, it's very easy for it to jump to 160+/something and that could cause it.. some people also suffer sudden shifts in blood pressure when getting up yet normal at other times so maybe it's during your sets. Bring your monitor to get, smack one or two of your exercises and when you feel it go to the bathroom and just check it out.

Hi pump

I do not have a BP monitor/tester yet. I have a tom tom spark 2 with an inbuilt heart rate monitor. I'm just sceptical about it at time but I'll put the weight lifting mode today and monitor the bpm during sets or when I feel the Headache and I'll report back.

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Hey man, I'm afraid to say your heart rate will not assist us at all. Maybe see if you can put together some cash and get a monitor, it's a vital thing to have when you use steroids and these days some supplements too.

Thanks OOpump. I'll make a plan and get one.

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Here is a cheap one for 395

dischem.co.za/product-view/79386/bp-monitor-classique-pchoice

It may not be 100% accurate but it will give you a rough indication, just make sure if it's an arm cuff one that it's big enough to go around your arm, if it's too tight it will give you an inaccurate reading.

I agree with pump, getting one of the cheapy BP monitors is fantastic.

I hope on Thursday you plan on doing legs as well - perhaps make a note of the times to let the Dr know.
As for it being due to your eyes, well, I do not see why it would only cause issues when training and even then only when training certain body parts - so far seems to be the heavier lifts.
Unless it is somehow related to BP as well?

Hi guys

So I did the 24hrs BP monitor, from yesterday to today morning.

Average of measurements was 135.5/27.7 I might be not accurate with the 27.

What surprised me was BP during training, it was normal as they come. I will upload the results later.

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Lifting real heave weights causes headaches. I had a bad one last night from deadlifting some big poundage.

I'm glad it has come back normal. Are you still getting them as bad and for as long?

Oupa wrote: Lifting real heave weights causes headaches. I had a bad one last night from deadlifting some big poundage.

Hi Oupa

Do you experience the headache even days/ Weeks after it occurred?

00pump wrote: I'm glad it has come back normal. Are you still getting them as bad and for as long?

Hi OOpump

Last week I attended work training that required me to study, so I gave myself a break. I ate at the canteen and wasn't able to go to gym.

Then I kicked things off yesterday. I was doing legs and the headache was no where to be found. I'll see today

Great news. Let's hope it stays away.

bms wrote:

Oupa wrote: Lifting real heave weights causes headaches. I had a bad one last night from deadlifting some big poundage.

Hi Oupa

Do you experience the headache even days/ Weeks after it occurred?

No

Here are the results of the BP monitor

148 over 138 and 143 over 126, wtf? That's insane.. what where you doing at that time

Looks like a faulty monitor or it didnt read you properly